The Upkeep And Care Of A Snake
Care for a snake can be easy if you are prepared for and know what
all is required. Put a little time in to it and your snake can lead a
perfectly normal happy long life.
First thing you need is a cage or enclosure for your snake. If you
are buying a baby or smaller snake a simple shoe box or plaster
container will do nicely to start off with. But as they grow you will
need something bigger like a glass aquarium.
How to build the perfect vivarium (cage) is a perfect question;
decide what you want on the bottom. Now although sand, potting soil,
gravel, and several other things are beautiful to look at you have to
think practically. You will be spending a lot of time cleaning your
snake cage so go with something easy to clean. I know the first thing
that comes to your mind is just newspaper and it’s true that would be
easiest it’s not very astatically pleasing to look at. So a good
compromise to that is aspen bedding. Aspen bedding can be found at any
pet store, is easy to clean, and is pleasing to look at. Lay out the
aspen bedding either right over the bottom or if you prefer lay out news
paper first and then place it over that making it about two inches
thick. If you, however, have a digging snake like a Bismarck Ringed
Python you will need to make if a lot deeper then that.
Next you need stuff in the cage like a rock, log, or branch for your
snake to climb up, on, or in. These things are way to cool off or make
great hiding places.
Watering bowls are also important not only for water but as a source
of water for other things. Things like laying in it to cool off and for
the types of snakes that like it they may even swim in it. Depending on
the size of snake will depend on the size bowl. You will want to make
sure your water is on a flat surface and sturdy so that every time your
snake goes for it, it doesn’t spill or tip it over messing up its
enclosure.
Screens make good tops for aquariums as they give your snake air and
yet are small enough the snake won’t escape.
Heat for your snake is important and depending on where you live etc.
will depend on how much or little you have to use. What with being cold
blooded creatures they enjoy heat and one good way to do this is if your
cage is kept on a flat surface buy a normal flat heating pad and stick
it under part of the cage (not the side with the water as it would
become too humid). This way it allows the snake to choose whether or not
to be on the warm side. Also keeping a UVB lamp turned on the cage for
part of the day helps simulate the sun and is also another source of
heat for your snake. Having a single hot spot is also good for your
snake. A single spot in the cage that is hotter then the rest which can
allow the snake to get supper hot and then it can choose to go cool off
in the water or another part of the cage. Now not all snakes need light
but as it is nice and makes the cage look catching you will have to
decide on that yourself. |
